News-Detail

After graduating from high school, I was looking for a degree program that would both match my interests and offer good career prospects. While searching for a program that combined biology with an engineering focus, I came across the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences website relatively quickly. This was probably also because I’m from Saxony-Anhalt. Since it was already September at that point, I was especially pleased that the application period lasted until just before the start of the semester. This allowed me to apply on short notice, and just a few weeks later, I was sitting in my first lecture without any problems.

I was interested in this kind of work right from the start of my studies. When Prof. Dr. Carola Griehl mentioned in a class during my fourth semester that there was an opening in her research group, I spoke to her about it right away. What I found particularly interesting even at that early stage was that they did a lot of work with algae there. After a brief conversation and further discussions with her staff, I was hired two weeks later.

My workdays are very varied and have continued to evolve over time. While I initially focused mainly on cleaning, sorting, and tidying up, I was gradually trained to take on more challenging tasks. These included preparing culture media, setting up culture vessels, and monitoring ongoing cultures. Later, I began operating various measuring instruments and performing different analytical methods.

I was particularly surprised by how diverse the properties and components of algae are and by the numerous possible applications that result from them.

What I enjoy most is working on algae cultivation. This involves many different steps to create optimal growing conditions. I find it particularly motivating that I can immediately see the results of my work and end up with a tangible outcome.

My personal approach to food has changed only slightly, because we often focus on potential new ingredients—in other words, we do foundational research. However, my studies and work in the lab have significantly expanded my knowledge of additives, preservatives, and colorings. Since then, I’ve been paying closer attention to the ingredients in the foods I eat.

I would be delighted if algae were to play a major role in my future career as well. Since I’ve been working with them for two years now, I’ve been able to gain solid prior knowledge and build an initial professional network. Whether I’ll actually find a suitable position in the industry later on remains to be seen. I’d like to stay in the region, and the algae industry is still in its infancy here.

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is working to develop this algae industry. For years, the Center of Excellence for Algal Biotechnology has been researching how microalgae can be used industrially as a source of natural dyes, vitamins, and dietary supplements. With the help of the AlgaHub research and innovation network, Saxony-Anhalt aims to establish a structure that brings together academia, industry, and Administration, with the goal of building the economy in which Max Weidemann hopes to work. However, this requires further research, which will be conducted in part by the Central German Algae Center.

The Biotechnology degree program at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences typically lasts seven semesters for the bachelor’s degree. Further information about the degree program and opportunities to work as a student assistant is available from the Department of Applied Biosciences and Process Engineering:

https://www.hs-anhalt.de/studiengaenge/bt.html

https://www.hs-anhalt.de/hochschule-anhalt/applied-biosciences-and-process-engineering/research/research groups/competence centre for algenbiotechnologie/current news.html

4 Myths About Algae and Nutrition—What Research and Practice Say https://www.hs-anhalt.de/hochschule-anhalt/news/news-1/4-myths-about-algae-and-nutrition-what-research-and-practice-say.html

Phycology on the Rise: What the 4th Central German Algae Roundtable Reveals https://www.hs-anhalt.de/hochschule-anhalt/aktuelles/neuigkeit-1/phykonomie-im-aufbruch-was-der-4-mitteldeutsche-algenstammtisch-zeigt.html

Microalgae as a Substitute for Petroleum: How Close Are We to Industrial Use? https://www.hs-anhalt.de/hochschule-anhalt/aktuelles/neuigkeit-1/mikroalgen-als-ersatz-fuer-erdoel-wie-nah-sind-wir-an-der-industriellen-nutzung.html

Microalgae as a Resource for the Future: An Update https://www.hs-anhalt.de/hochschule-anhalt/aktuelles/neuigkeit-1/mikroalgen-als-zukunftsressource-ein-update.html